Gonsalves, "Billy" [Adelino]
Soccer
b. Aug. 10, 1908, Tiverton, RI
d. July 17, 1977
Nicknamed the "Babe Ruth of soccer," Gonsalves is still considered by many the greatest soccer player ever produced by the United States. A brilliant scorer, he was also a fine passer and excellent defender.
Gonsalves learned the sport from English and Scottish textile workers as a youngster in Fall River, Massachusetts. Hee played for a number of different teams from 1922 until 1951.
Usually an inside right forward, Gonsalves led the Fall River Marksmen to the National Challenge Cup in 1930. The team moved to New York, became known as the Yankees, and won a second NCC in 1931.
Gonsalves played for four more NCC champions in the next four years: the New Bedford, Massachusetts, Whalers in 1932, the St. Louis Stix, Baer and Fuller Football Club in 1933 and 1934, and the St. Louis Central Brewery Club in 1935.
After three seasons with an amateur team in White Plains, New York, Gonsalves joined the Hispano Football Club of Brooklyn, which won the NCC in 1943 and 1944. He spent his finals seasons with the German Sport Club of Newark, New Jersey. After retiring as a player, he coached fora time.
Gonsalves had extensive experience in international play. He was a member of the U. S. World Cup teams in 1930 and 1934, and he scored three goals in each of two upset victories by his Fall River team in 1931, a 5-2 win over a club from Argentina and a 4-3 victory over the Glasgow Celtics.
Gannett News Service named Gonsalves to the United States men's national soccer "Stars of the Century" team in 1999.